Teacher Demonstration
Use the live model as a shared screen demonstration before students try their own predictions and observations.
Physics / Electricity and Magnetism
Solving Systems Of Linear Equations: Resistor Networks
Explore Solving Systems Of Linear Equations: Resistor Networks as an interactive EJS simulation for electricity and magnetism.
1. Watch or Launch
Launch the Interactive
Open the simulation, adjust the controls, and compare what changes on screen before answering the concept-check questions.
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2. Big Ideas
Key idea Circuit-analysis interactives turn a resistor network into equations. Students should identify nodes, loops, resistor values, and source constraints before using Kirchhoff laws, matrix solving, or numerical tools to compare calculated currents and voltages with the circuit display.
What Students Can Learn
- Trace the circuit before writing equations.
- Use Kirchhoff current law at nodes and voltage law around loops.
- Connect each row of the matrix or system of equations to a real circuit constraint.
- Check solved currents, voltages, and power values against meter readings and resistor behaviour.
Guiding Question
Which node or loop equation does each solved value come from, and how can the interactive evidence confirm it?
3. Try the Investigation
Trace Nodes and Loops
Identify junctions, loops, sources, and resistor labels before solving.
Write One Constraint
Use Kirchhoff current law for a node or Kirchhoff voltage law for a loop, then connect the signs to chosen current directions.
Compare Solver Output
Use the matrix or numerical solution to read currents and voltages, then compare those values with the circuit diagram or meter display.
Test a Resistor Change
Change one resistance or source setting and explain how the affected branch currents and voltage drops change.
4. Teacher Notes
Lesson Use
Use this as a bridge from circuit diagrams to simultaneous equations. Students should annotate the circuit with current directions, node labels, and voltage drops before accepting the solver output.
Discussion Prompts
Ask: Which equation represents this junction? Which equation represents this loop? What does a negative current mean in the chosen direction? How do the solved values satisfy Ohm's law for each resistor?
Teaching Moves
Have students predict the sign and relative size of one branch current before running the matrix solver. Then require them to verify the answer with a resistor voltage drop or meter reading.
Model Notes
This profile is used for resistor-network and systems-of-linear-equations pages so the questions do not fall back to generic E&M or magnetism prompts.
5. Concept Check
These questions are generated from the topic and the concept illustrated by the simulation. Use them after students have explored the model.
Concept Score
Correct first attempts build a streak and unlock higher point multipliers on this device.
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Answer each question once to build your streak.
1. What should students identify before using the matrix solver on a resistor network?
2. What does Kirchhoff's current law help check at a junction?
3. What does a loop equation usually connect in a resistor network?
4. If the solver gives a negative branch current, what is the best interpretation?
5. What makes a strong final answer for this interactive?
Expert Challenge
Unlocks after 3 correct concept-check answers on this page.
1. In a resistor-network solver interactive, what should students connect before trusting the matrix answer?
2. What feedback fits 'a negative solved current means the circuit is impossible'?
3. How should students verify a solved branch current?
4. What should a Kirchhoff current law check compare?
5. What makes a resistor-network answer expert-level?
7. Learning Pulse
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